There was a time when you could open up a newspaper and read articles heralding the season of Christmas with open feelings toward Jesus Christ. Such articles would detail the effect He has had on their lives and the lives of their family. The reader would gently smile to themselves as they reflected on their own lives. Christmas was much more openly centered on Christ than it is now.

The world needs a Savior. You only have to turn on the TV to know that’s true. There is so much hate and noise in the world that people born today won’t hear much else throughout their lives. We are bombarded by voices (often screaming) at how we should live, what we should eat, what we should believe, and constantly judging what we do. Through a constant stream of placating the “offended” among us, we have lost our identity.

I have written several paragraphs and deleted them going off topic of the cause of “why” and how we’ve lost our identity as people because we try too hard to accommodate the needs of everyone. But the real truth is that the world is a better place because people believe in a Savior that came to save them from the world. That’s the reason for this article. Whether there is overwhelming support that He exists or not is irrelevant. One thing that you cannot deny is that He brings the one thing that’s almost impossible to inspire in 2016. Hope.

The argument that people are only good because they are trying to get into heaven is a feeble one. People can only work toward a goal without a reward for only so long (even the most saintly among us). There has to be something that consistently brings people to do good repeatedly. That’s the hope that a Savior provides. Can people be good without the belief in a Savior? Of course. It is not my intent to imply that the only good that comes from the world has to be through that belief. My argument is that the world is so much better off because of the enduring hope a Savior brings.

Can evil be done in the name of a Savior? Of course. People are always going to be subject to their own free will. Too many have been hurt by “believers” and carry with them an understandable bitterness toward the idea. But such bitterness could be applied to any group of people. Just as you can find incredibly good people in a group of people, the opposite can also be found. The misconception is that religion is exempt from that rule. But just because one “believer” can ruin the lives of many, the opposite is always true as well.

Isn’t in infantile to believe in stories that were created centuries ago? That’s for each individual to decide. But is there more harm or good done by it? Come Christmas Eve there will be millions of people gathering together as friends and family in the spirit of the season. Whether they pray to thank their God for a Savior or not doesn’t change the fact that they are turning their thoughts and attention to those who need it. The poor and hungry are remembered more than ever. Smiles are returned to strangers who donate to make their Christmas morning a little brighter. Family member’s petty differences are put aside to bring them closer on Christmas. While exceptions always exist, the greater good of Christmas prevails because of the existence of a Savior.

So, this Christmas season take joy in sharing what you are passionate about. Enjoy people who share that passion with you even when it’s something you may not agree with yourself. Be happy that people are happy. If something offends you, engage in productive conversations about what you are feeling so you can be happy without taking something away from someone else. The messages and stories shared about Christ the Savior are always of love and understanding. Be they true or not to you, there is wisdom to be gained from them to make the world a more kind and joyous place. So, this season of worldwide turmoil and hatred, take comfort in the holiday inspired by a Savior for ALL mankind.